Northern Forest Research:Participatory Modeling of Tourism and Recreation in the Northern Forest

Lisa Chase, Roelof Boumans, and Stephanie Morse, University of Vermont

Goal: Combining the diverse perspectives gained through stakeholder involvement with the analytical tools of dynamic modeling, thereby enhancing the ability of communities to make better-informed decisions regarding recreation and tourism development.

Outcomes and Products:
A series of participatory modeling workshops were held in communities in the Northern Forest where participants created computer models that describe recreation and tourism issues in their communities. In addition to the models that were created, the modeling process had positive impacts including strengthening relationships, promoting systems thinking, and helping to build consensus.

Learn More:

Research article: Participatory Modeling as a Tool for Community Development Planning: Tourism in the Northern Forest (pdf)